Guelph - Guelph Museums Board of Management and staff are pleased to announce the launch of a strategic planning process. “Long-term planning for the future is important for all institutions, especially those that should reflect their community,” said Jim Hall, Chair, Museum Board of Management. Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House have been important institutions in our City since the 1960s and we look forward to ensuring their relevance and ability to meet the needs of the community for future generations.

The central question in developing a new strategic plan is “What do you want your Museum to be in the future?” Input from the public is critical to the success of this plan and anyone can participate by completing a brief survey that is available in hard copy format from the Museum or online at www.guelph.ca/museum. There will also be a public meeting at Guelph Civic Museum on Thursday, March 6 at 7 pm which will be an opportunity for the public to provide further input. After hearing from the community through February and March, the Plan will be developed and presented to the public in late May.

Although work continues on the possibility of relocating Guelph Civic Museum to the Loretto Convent, this planning process is independent of that project. “Regardless of location, we need to think strategically about the future of Guelph Museums and our how we will serve the public,” indicated Katherine McCracken, Director.

Guelph Museums’strategic plan will work in conjunction with the plan developed by the City of Guelph in 2007. Guelph – the city that makes a difference has been well-received as a tool for guiding the decisions of Council and staff and is a valuable support piece for Guelph Museums. The City of Guelph owns and operates Guelph Civic Museum located at 6 Dublin Street South and McCrae House located at 108 Water Street. They are governed by Guelph Museums Board of Management, which is comprised of 9 citizens and 1 City Councillor, which is currently Ward 3 Councillor June Hofland.